How to add the perfect Irish touches to your wedding… A Celtic Wedding Handbook is your guide to expressing your Celtic or Irish heritage on your special day and enhancing the wedding experience with lovely traditions from Ireland and the Celtic countries.

This book provides traditional romantic suggestions for every aspect of your ceremony, reception and wedding preparation. Chapters include Irish Blessings and Toasts, When to Marry, What to Wear, Rings, and lots of music ideas!

The Handbook is a fun, accessible guide to planning a wedding that connects you to the traditions and to the culture of Ireland and Scotland. Include the blessings in your invitation or program, or incorporate them as a bit of Irish fun into the bridal shower or reception.

Even if all you do is browse through the Handbook as you listen to accompanying music by Aine, you’ll have immersed yourself in the traditions of the Celtic Wedding.

Irish harpist/singer/composer/author Aine Minogue has witnessed and provided music for more than 1,000 weddings.

The following collections have a "Celtic meets Classical" vibe with some Irish tunes in the mix. It can be a good idea to keep it nicely upbeat with just the right amount of joy to set the mood while keeping the vibe nice and mellow…

2. Give Me Your Hand 3:03 A classic done in the style of The Chieftains; very Irish and traditional sounding. Not for everyone but if you like it - you love it! This tune is also on the collection "The Vow, an Irish Wedding Celebration".

6. King of the Faeries 4:31 (Version 2) (iTunes essentials, Irish Music) This version is listed on iTunes essentials with U2, the Cranberries, Enya, Celtic Woman and The Chieftains. Yes, it's another version, but people love this tune and love the option of the versions!

7. King of the Faeries 6:04 (version 3) Longer version, voices in the distance.

The answer is "yes" and "no." Bridal marches, as we know them, generally came down to us from classical music such as Mendelssohn's "Wedding March" first played in England in 1847 or Wagner's "Bridal Chorus." They both became popular around the same time.

There are many beautiful possible choices for this very important moment and here are some suggestions we've put together for your special day!

Historically, any march (of Irish, Scottish or Celtic) origin might be used for a Celtic/Irish wedding. My personal favorite is this old Irish march. We liked it so much we created and recorded five arrangements to suit many tastes.

One gorgeous melody - with five choices of arrangements to suit every personality and style of wedding, from simple to elaborate! Whether you like to hear Irish harp on its own, or with strings, oboe, Irish drum (bodhran), Irish whistle, the Irish pipes, or piano, our most popular "Celtic Wedding Processional" offers every possible choice. And, our sound samples make it easy to hear the difference before you make your selections.

We’ve included length of each track after each title for your convenience. We want to be sure you have enough music for each part.

1. Solo Harp (2:58) - very low key and simple.

1B. Solo Harp (2:00) - ditto

2. "Celtic Classical" (3:56) Harp, Strings & Oboe. If you like a slightly more classic sound, this is for you.

THE BIG ENTRANCE

3. "Highland Version" (3:56) Harp, Strings, & Irish Pipes. You either love them or hate them: the Irish pipes! And if you love them - this is the version for you...

4. "Highland Drum Version." The Bodhran or Irish drum is included in this version. (You may not hear the drum properly on your computer's speakers because they often obliterate the 'low end,' but you will hear it beautifully on decent speakers.)

5. "Piano-based Version." This is from "The Vow, an Irish Wedding Celebration." It also features Irish pipes, Irish whistle and bodhran (Irish drum) and is very 'traditional Irish' sounding. (Again, you may not hear the drum on computer speakers.)

Choose a few selections for your wedding party processional, and save the remaining tracks for the Prelude. This enchanting music conjures the magic of the Irish landscape, and provides the perfect musical backdrop to your special day!

As you walk gently towards your future - may the road rise to meet you!

1. King of the Faeries 3:55 (Original Version) (Ethereal, evocative, everyone's favorite). By far the most popular live processional after our "Celtic Wedding Processional" and most commonly used for Bridesmaids! It works beautifully out of doors, for bridesmaids, for children or for anyone wishing to create a 'magical' atmosphere.

6. Spirits of the World 3:41 (iTunes Essential, New Age) "Float down the aisle" feel. This tune is listed under iTunes essentials with such luminaries as Enya, Jim Brickman, Acoustic Alchemy & Will Ackerman

7. Aisling (Dream) (3:17) (Very, very dreamy - Also used for interludes and even Meditation)

Throughout the ages, beautiful Celtic Music and melodies have proved to be some of the most enduring. These melodies have the power to transport us to another time and place. When you want to mark a special moment on your wedding day, this music will set the right tone.

This music is the music of the heart. It's perfect for moments to pause and reflect, moments of interlude and meditation, those special moments when you light a candle, pass a rose, seal a vow…

These selections will work for unity candle lightings, for moments of meditation, or simply for those moments when you wish to pause, take a breath and reflect.

There are even more selections for your “quiet” moments…

1. Blessing. (Sung) (1:13)

"May the longtime sun shine on you,

all love surround you,

and the pure light within you,

guide you on your way.... Akal, Akal, (infinity)... no end...." Old Irish Blessing.

2. Bridget Cruise. (2:42) Harp & Strings. Gorgeous romantic melody.

3. Southwind. (2:02) Fiddle/Violin. Beloved Scottish melody.

4. An Bhoutais. (4:11) A unique Irish air with sweeping strings, evoking the beauty of the landscape.

5. Kilcash. (2:38) Irish whisle, cello. Another gorgeous air from the north of Ireland.

6. Greensleeves. (3:19) Also on our Processional section, this perennial favorite may be used for almost any part of your Day.